Since I don't really like making really long pictures for DA. I'd rather take some screen shots of my progress. Since many have asked me how I did hair I'll give a step-by-step tutorial on coloring hair.
You'll need basic knowledge of Photoshop. All Photoshop programs have different keyboard instructions, I'm using Photoshop 7 and a Wacom Tablet.
I'll use one of my most recent (July, 26, 2009). Ignore my already complete character on the right... I chose the one with long hair to show a bit more. <:
Step 1:
Create a new layer under your lineart. Label it "hair base" to make things easier. (I don't label, but it'll make it easier to explain). Select your color and click the pen tool. Use the settings provided above. Click around under the lineart where you want your base so the end result looks like this:
Step 2:
Now that your base color is complete create a New Layer above the base and press Ctrl+G. This will group this layer with your previous layer and make it so you don't color outside your base hair layer. Nifty huh?
Now select a slightly darker color. This will be your first shade. Use a soft brush, at about 13-25 size. Start shading.
Should turn out similar to this:
Step 3:
Now create a new layer. Ctrl+G again. Select a darker shade and repeat.
Step 4:
Create a new layer and Ctrl+G. Choose an even darker shade. Select a hard brush, I wouldn't go any higher than 13px.
Now start to stroke slowly. Put as much of the dark shades as you feel are suitable for your work. Since this characters hair is dark I only used 3-4 shades.
Step 5:
Almost done! Now here's the fun part if you got a handy dandy tablet...mouse users this may be a little tricky.
Create a new layer ABOVE your lineart completely separated from your hair layer. We'll start to add those loose strands of hair to make it look more soft and semi-realistic.
Take a small brush, no bigger than 9px. Use your base color, and start drawing those lovely long strands.
Add some nice thick ones too, be sure to point the tips and use the smudge tool to blend the top nicely.
Feel free to add more. I commonly have two layers for the loose strands of hair, one layer the lighter color then the darker color underneath just to add some more detail.
I don't highlight hair, so that would be up to you to make another layer for the shiny desu. If your character has colored eye lashes use the hair color for that, not the eye color, I don't know but my eye lashes aren't blue like my eyes, don't torture your mango character either.
And that's it! I tried to make it sound as easy and smooth as possible, sorry if it's confusing. Any questions just PM me or send me a DA note.
Fuhrer Grell · Mon Jul 27, 2009 @ 02:42pm · 0 Comments |